Which early voyages helped begin the search for the Northwest Passage?

The search for the Northwest Passage was driven by the desire to find a westward sea route to Asia, an objective that gained momentum following the disruption of traditional overland trade routes in the 15th century.1

Key early voyages that helped initiate this search include:

• John Cabot (1497): Commissioned by King Henry VII of England, Cabot’s voyage was one of the earliest attempts to find a northwest route to East Asia. His exploration of the North American coast helped demonstrate the viability of a route across the North Atlantic.12
• Giovanni da Verrazzano (1524): Backed by the French king, Verrazzano explored the eastern coast of North America from Cape Fear to Newfoundland in search of a westward passage to Asia.3
• Jacques Cartier (1534, 1535, 1541–42): Commissioned by King Francis I, Cartier explored the St. Lawrence River and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, reporting that the river might lead to Asia.4

These expeditions established early European interest in navigating the northern reaches of the continent, setting the stage for centuries of subsequent exploration.51